There have now been four such races, two at Abu Dhabi and two at Jebel Ali, and the Frenchman has won all four after Tadhg O’Shea steered his six-year-old to a brave victory in a race they had been second last year.

O’Shea explained: “That was a deserved big race win for the horse who loves this hill and is hopefully coming back to his very best. He won at Nad Al Sheba earlier this season and enjoyed no luck back there last time. It has all worked out well this afternoon though.”

O’Shea completed a double on the Ali Rashid Al Raihe-trained Estihdaaf in the second of two 1400m handicaps.

Champion Trainer Doug Watson was in great form and saddled half of the six winners with Ryan Moore, in the saddle on the same trainer’s Dynamic Saint who won at the Dubai International Racing Carnival the night before, partnering Lover Boy to victory in the 1950m handicap.

Stable jockey Fernando Jara was in the saddle on Dan Chillingworth who won a 1400m handicap with Richard Hills making all on Muzdaher in the 1600m handicap, the middle leg of the treble.

Watson said: “We had two winners last night and knew we had chances this afternoon. The horses are in good form and hopefully we can keep this good run going.”

The concluding 1200m handicap was won by Surprise Package, representing the Rod Simpson/Sophie Doyle combination who are enjoying a great first season from their Al Asayl base.